Health Bulletin

North Carolinians Urged To Get Flu Shots Following Record-Breaking Flu
Season

(NAPSI)—The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by
influenza viruses that can develop into mild to severe illnesses or even death—yet
too many people don’t realize how serious it can be.

Flu Facts

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
influenza can send more than 700,000 people to the hospital each year.

Flu season generally starts as early as October and can run through May.
Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and
February. The 2017−18 flu season was one of the worst in more than a
decade, resulting in a “high-severity” classification that saw 19
consecutive weeks of record-breaking flu hospitalizations nationwide.

In North Carolina alone, the number of flu-related deaths has jumped
dramatically over the last three years. A total of 389 flu-related deaths
were reported during the 2017−18 flu season, according to the North
Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. That was nearly double the
number of deaths in 2016−17 and six times the number in 2015−16.

What Can Be Done

To avoid another hard-hitting season, health care professionals are
encouraging people to get flu shots, though there is a concern that some
groups might not take heed to the warning.

According to the CDC, African Americans nationwide were less likely to get
a flu shot than white Americans due to concerns of side effects and efficacy.
The study found that only 41 percent of African American adults received the
flu shot compared with 47 percent of white adults.

A separate CDC report shows that the rate of Hispanic adults is even
lower—just 39 percent.

Doctor’s Opinion

“It’s clear that there is a need for health care professionals
to make every effort to create environments where patients feel valued,
believe they are getting access to the best treatment possible and have faith
in the advice of their providers, especially when it comes to preventing the
flu,” said Dr. Andrea Gelzer, senior vice president of medical affairs
with AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and
other health care solutions for those most in need. “When groups of people
choose to forgo getting vaccinated, there is an increased likelihood of
health disparities that can cause serious and even fatal consequences.”

Dr. Gelzer believes health care professionals must help patients
understand the benefits of getting a flu vaccination and work to ensure that
any concerns and misperceptions are addressed. She stressed that having a
primary care physician who can provide accurate and helpful information is
essential.

Learn More

AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care
solutions for those most in need. For further information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.

““When people choose to
forgo getting vaccinated, there is an increased likelihood of health
disparities that can cause serious consequences,” said Dr. Andrea
Gelzer, senior vice president of medical affairs with AmeriHealth Caritas http://bit.ly/2OsjVVq”

Flu-related deaths in North Carolina have
dramatically increased over the last three years.